App helps Red Cross volunteers

A news release from the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross tells how would-be volunteers can download an app to make their desire to help out more convenient and effective.

JOHN BARRY

A news release from the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross tells how would-be volunteers can download an app to make their desire to help out more convenient and effective:

American Red Cross Launches App to Recruit Volunteers

The American Red Cross has launched the Team Red Cross App, which allows people to sign up to help, get an overview on basic tasks and receive notifications about Red Cross disaster volunteer opportunities in their community.

“When people see an emergency happening in their community, they often want to help but may not know how,” said American Red Cross Spokesperson Paul Shipman. “The Team Red Cross App provides an easy and quick way for people to sign up to help the Red Cross and support their community.”

Once users download the app, they create an account. Then they learn about different jobs, such as working in a warehouse, handing out supplies or assisting with feeding. When the Red Cross has a need for volunteers, the Team Red Cross App will notify users based on their location. Potential volunteers can instantly accept or decline the volunteer opportunity.

The Red Cross is encouraging the public to download the app before a disaster strikes in Connecticut so volunteers can help immediately.

The app is free and designed for iPhone and Android smart phones and tablets. Additional features include:

• A quick orientation right on the mobile device.

• Ability for people to share notifications for volunteers with their social network.

• Earn digital “badges” by completing a job test, accepting a job, sharing the app, recruiting volunteers, etc. The "badges" can then be shared with their social network.

• Allows people to donate money to the Red Cross and sign up to donate blood.

• Offers emergency response information that people can share with their friends at the touch of a button.

The Team Red Cross App is the seventh in a series of highly successful Red Cross apps, which are now on more than 3 million mobile devices across the country. A recent Red Cross survey shows that apps are now tied with social media as the fourth most popular way to get information during emergencies — behind TV, radio and online news sites. Nearly one-fifth of Americans say they’ve received some kind of emergency information from an app they’ve downloaded, making the Red Cross apps an important way

The Team Red Cross App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.

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